Google U-turn over censoring of searches

GOOGLE has restored links to news articles it had removed under the European
Union’s “right to be forgotten” ruling, following accusations of censorship.

The internet search giant has received requests from British citizens to erase
more than 34,000 web pages from search results but has performed a U-turn in
some cases.

The Sunday Times has learnt that “right to be forgotten” requests range from a
former government minister demanding the removal of criticism of previous
policies to a professional footballer wanting details of his career to be
airbrushed. Dozens of Google staff are helping to implement the law,
adjudicating behind closed doors.

Articles that have been reinstated include pieces about Dougie McDonald, a
Scottish football referee accused of lying over a penalty incident during a
match between Celtic and Dundee United in 2010. An index of articles by Roy
Greenslade, a media commentator, has also been reinstated. It is unclear